THIN LINE BETWEEN RELIGION AND REALITY

I really cannot decipher the power of religion on humanity, but the effect on us is undoubtedly overwhelming. Over the years, religion has loosened its grip on reality, but it still grips. Its total leave from reality has the tendency to result in a chaotic situation; and a total embrace of religion results to dehumanizing humans to mere puppets. As years pass, people continue to seek ways to embrace religion differently; thus, a religion that will auger well will reality; but that will never be attained.

Recently my friends and I had some discussions on marriage and the contradiction between religion and reality. It was baffling to see that sects in Christendom have a law that prohibits the use of contraceptives, even in the matrimonial home. We all are aware that most religion opposes premarital sex; so the use of these contraceptives at such is a sin in the sight of God and even against our bodies. But how can one explain the rationale behind the disuse of contraceptives between married couples. Does that mean that I keep filling my wife with seeds and believe that the good Lord will be the birth control; and cease her womb probably after I’ve filled my home with a football team and some substitutes?

I read in the papers of a man who had asked his wife twenty-six years ago to go out and get pregnant so as to cover his shame of impotence; and as a submissive wife she did so. Now, he claims that he has given his life to Christ; that the bible says if anything should breach your way to heaven, cut it off. So he decides that discarding those kids will give him an express ticket to heaven. This real life situation paints a picture of an individual crossing the thin line again and the frailty of our conscience in the name of a religion. Obviously, people can be quick to criticize and curse the man ignoring the real reason for his decision. On a second thought, religion prompted that decision. He felt that a verse in the bible explains the ills of having such kids without deep thought about their emotions, their future. Understandably, he had a shallow understanding of that verse in the bible, but he is only an example of so many who misconstrue religion and crossed that thin line between religion and reality. If he asks God for forgiveness, tell those kids the truth, show them love, give them an education and keep them as his kids would he still miss heaven?

With my friends, our discussion digressed into sex and the effects of premarital sex. Everybody talked about its negative implication: about HIV, heartbreak, pregnancy, abortion and all the popular negatives. Our discussions unfolded a lot of issues, such as its positives too. “So premarital sex has an advantage”, I had asked. With cogent points raised and analyzed, I began to see premarital sex as a coin, double sided. Offcousre, its religious and societal implication returned my cajoled perception to status quo.

In reality, sex (marital or premarital) bonds a couple, it strengthens love; it explains the sexuality of each other. There, I listened to the story of a man who decided never to engage in sex with his fiancé until they were married but discovered during their honeymoon that his wife was circumcised, finds sex disgusting and painful. Many would say, “Why didn’t she tell him”, but go find out from men their reaction and you’ll understand why she didn’t. it is likely that the man would live the rest of his marital life engaged in extracurricular activities or rather extramarital affairs. Sex is between two individuals, if one lies like a log of wood while the other does the entire job; next time he’ll seek an individual that can respond to stimuli. Does this then encourage premarital sex? No, it only encourages us to be truthful. In religion, we are aware of the commandment “do not commit fornication”, yet that fornication can save you a lifetime of unfaithfulness. So what shall we do, do we fornicate. No, my hand no dey there o.

The line between reality and religion should be threaded carefully, a large step into religion cripples reality and another into reality separates us from a supposed reasoning. Instances for stepping out of this line are glaring: terrorism, religious riots, corruption and like the case of the man above; but in our everyday lives its glaring. Inasmuch as some would dispute the presence of a God, I do not. I believe there is a divine presence, a Chi ; who has commandment and expects us loves people irrespective of their religion and faith. He wants us to imbibe his nature, love and wants us to maintain the thin line between religion and reality. But religion conflicts reality, I’m not saying reality is better; it only baffles me to see the effects of religion on reality.